Canucks Get Off to Awful Start, Lose 6-3 to Dallas

Summary:

Despite firing 46 shots on net, it was a night to forget for most members of the Canucks as the Dallas Stars trounced Vancouver 6-3 Tuesday night in Texas. 

Trailing 3-0 after one frame, Dallas scored twice just over a minute into the second period to make it 5-0, forcing the Canucks to pull starter Ryan Miller from the game. It wasn't really his fault though, as the first goal bounced in off of a back-checking Alex Burrows into his own net, another one awkwardly ricocheting off Miller's stick, then blocker and in the net and lastly another strange bounce off of a Canuck defender, then off Erik Cole passed Miller.

It couldn't be classified as "just one of those nights" though, as the overall effort and game plan wasn't there off the bat. Vancouver didn't show any gumption (to steal Darren Pang's vocabulary), any desire or any fight until it was too late. 

Sure, they could take some consolation in coming back to make it close(ish), but really, there's no excuse to the poor start. I was hoping to at least see some fight - literally - and at least see someone who seemed pissed to be getting clocked, but I don't remember even a big hit or a pick-me-up shift from anyone.

The Sedin line was good once again, but they continue to try to be too flashy and make too many cute passes as opposed to shooting the damn puck. At one point in the 2nd period, Henrik came down on a 2 on 1 with his brother and everyone this side of Arkansas knew he was passing it to his bro, including the Stars defenceman who batted the pass away and ended any chance at scoring.

The 2nd line, or really in the Canucks case their first 3rd line, was downright awful and were on the ice for all 3 of Dallas' first period goals. Nick Bonino, Alex Burrows and Chris Higgins all finished the night -3. 

Kevin Bieksa was -4 and played his usual careless defence. Chris Tanev was not his typical self as he struggled defensively all night as well.

Eddie Lack came in and played solidly, allowing only 1 goal on 15 shots, while Miller let in 5 goals on 13 shots in just over 20 minutes action. Miller's GAA rose to 3.20 and his save % dropped to 88.4.

View the game highlights and full stats here.

Conclusion:

Vancouver is simply a very average hockey team in my opinion. Their 3-0 start to the season is skewed based on their opponents; the lowly Oilers twice and the Flames. With back to back losses to quality teams in the Tampa Bay Lightning and now the Dallas Stars, are we seeing how we match up to the rest of the league? Or is this simply a team having some early season struggles as it tries to gel and get used to a new coach, new system and new teammates? I suppose only time will tell, but I for one am not optimistic about a team with only one scoring line, two 3rd lines and a 4th line. Toss in a defence corps that is prone to breakdowns, malfunctions and costly turnovers and an aging goalie who is past the prime of his career and you have the blueprint for a long, long season. 

Vancouver will look to right the ship with back to back games starting Thursday night in St. Louis against the Blues before heading to Colorado to face the Avalanche Friday.